WordPress stores many settings as PHP serialized strings, which are hard to read and break if you edit them by hand. Paste a serialized value to see it as clean JSON, convert JSON back, or repair string lengths after a find and replace. It runs in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.

Serialized Data Viewer and Converter

Read PHP serialized data from WordPress, convert it to JSON and back, and repair broken string lengths after a search and replace.

Input Section

Input (serialized string or JSON)

Result Section

Insights / Tips

Back up your database before changing serialized values in wp_options or postmeta.
Changing text inside a serialized string without updating its length breaks the whole value. Use Fix String Lengths after editing.
Objects are shown with their class name. Converting back creates plain arrays, not objects.

Internal Links

JSON Formatter Migration Toolkit Generator XML Formatter

What this tool can do

Serialized to JSON: turns a value from wp_options or postmeta into readable, indented JSON.
JSON to Serialized: creates a valid serialized string, with correct byte lengths for accented and non-English characters.
Fix String Lengths: recalculates the length numbers in a serialized string after you changed its text.
Clear errors: if the data is invalid, you see what went wrong and where.

How to use the converter

Copy the serialized value from your database, for example from the option_value column in wp_options.
Paste it into the input box and click Serialized to JSON.
Read or copy the result. To go the other way, paste JSON and click JSON to Serialized.
After editing text inside a serialized string, paste it and click Fix String Lengths, then copy the repaired value back.

Why serialized data breaks

A serialized string stores the exact length of each text value, like s:22:"https://new-domain.com";. If you change the text but not the number, PHP can no longer read the value. WordPress then treats the setting as empty, and you may see lost widgets, theme options or page builder content.

This is the most common problem after moving a site to a new domain with a plain SQL find and replace. Safer ways are WP-CLI’s search-replace command or a migration plugin that understands serialized data.

Things to know

Back up your database before changing any serialized values.
Objects are shown with a __class field. Converting JSON back creates plain arrays, not objects, so do not use it to rebuild object data.
Fix String Lengths is a best-effort repair. Check the result before saving it to your database.
Numbers: whole numbers become integers and decimals become floats.

Frequently asked questions

What is PHP serialized data?

It is a text format PHP uses to store arrays and objects. WordPress uses it for options, widgets, theme settings and plugin data.

How do I read serialized data from WordPress?

Copy the value from the database, paste it into this tool, and choose Serialized to JSON.

Why does my site lose settings after a domain change?

A find and replace changed text inside serialized strings without updating the lengths. Use Fix String Lengths, or redo the change with WP-CLI.

Can I edit serialized data by hand?

You can, as long as you update the length numbers. This tool does that for you.

Is my data safe?

Yes. The conversion happens in your browser and nothing is uploaded.

Does it work with accented and non-English characters?

Yes. Lengths are counted in bytes, the same way PHP counts them.

Serialized Data Viewer & Converter